Made In Jerusalem

Made in Jerusalem

“you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood,

offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:5

Intro: Jerusalem is built on a mountain plateau and is surrounded by

the Kidron valley on the east,

The Gehenna valley on the west

and the (Tie rope Eon) Tyropoeon valley on the south.

Jerusalem became a Hebrew city under David.

Soon after being crowned king over all the tribes of Israel,

David led his private forces in to capture Jerusalem 2 Samuel 5:1-10.

David made Jerusalem his capital.

David moved the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord to Jerusalem, 2 Samuel 6

The Ark of the Covenant symbolized God’s presence,

into the holy of holies, which made Jerusalem the religious center of the nation.

In Jerusalem, God made a covenant with the house of David. 2 Samuel 7:16

“Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me[b]; your throne will be established forever.’”

David’s earthly kingdom ended,

but Jesus a direct descendant of David was the ultimate fulfillment of that promise.

In Jerusalem…, Solomon built the Temple…, that David had wanted to build.

The Temple in Jerusalem was understood to be a Holy dwelling place for God 1 Kings 8:13

The physical beauty of the city was sung in Psalm 48

It’s glorious buildings and walls were described in Psalm 87

Several New Testament writers emphasize Jerusalem.

John told us more than any other Gospel writer about Jesus' visits to Jerusalem during His public ministry, Luke emphasized Jerusalem the most.

Luke's opening announcement of the birth of John took place in Jerusalem.

Jesus visited Jerusalem at age twelve.

All four Gospels tell us the central event of the Christian faith

--the crucifixion-resurrection of Jesus--took place in Jerusalem.

All of Luke's resurrection appearances took place in or near Jerusalem,

and the disciples were instructed to stay in Jerusalem until the Day of Pentecost.

Jerusalem figures in the final vision of Revelation.

In Revelation, Jerusalem appears for the last time

When Satan and his demons come against the Holy city for the final battle

But are destroyed by fire from heaven Revelations 20:7-9

And Finally, John saw the new Jerusalem descending from heaven to the new earth.

This new Jerusalem is described in such a way

that it is clear that the goal of our faith is to bring us to this biblical revelation,

the glory of the nations…, the tree of life…, the river of life…,

the eternal vision of God and communion with God,

and God reigns with His people forever and ever is fulfilled through Jerusalem. Revelations 21-22:5

The title of today’s sermon is “Made in Jerusalem”

“you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood,

offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:5

Made in Jerusalem. Think about the words, “built into a spiritual house.”

Peter describes the life of a believer…, in the church…,

as being made of stone…, living…, spiritual…, stone

A temple with Christ as the foundation and cornerstone

I am old enough to remember that when a label or sticker or tag said “Made in America”

that was something to be proud of.

Made in America meant quality,

it meant excellence,

it meant superiority…,

something of worth that would last.

I remember as a kid…, getting something that was made in China and I was so excited.

This thing…, whatever it was…, was made on the other side of the world.

Nowadays, two-thirds or more of everything we own is made in another country.

The washer and dryer in my laundry room is made in Korea

The alarm clock by the bed is made in Japan

The coffee pot is made in Hong Kong

The blouse in your closet is made in Singapore

The plastic bottle you drink water from is made in Mexico

The watch is made in Germany

The petroleum to fill the car is made in Saudi Arabia

I read an article that said, “Every US car is an import.”

It talked about regulations

It talked about the percentage of production

You can have a label that says made in America

But it doesn’t mean that it is actually made in America

It could mean that 51% is made in America

Just 1% less and it is made somewhere else.

But God doesn’t do percentages.

The point is you have to be 100% born again

You can’t be 51% made by Jesus and call yourself a Christian

49% is still running around in sin with the world.

That doesn’t mean I am going to be 100% all the time

Because I am not

But that is where repentance comes in.

That is why we are made by Grace and not made by the law